The world at a watershed

Change faces water engineers as the UK and the rest of the world adapts to factors such as the growing per capita demand for water, the increasing population, and the effects of global warming. In the UK, the recent water summit called by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott reinforced the need for action to prevent water shortages and encourage people to reduce their consumption. The increasing need for such measures worldwide is reflected in the recent adoption by the United Nations of a treaty to police the management of rivers that cross borders and the building of dams.